Chapter 234 Intimate
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Jonathan froze mid–step. The look he gave her carried a question, though his lips never
moved.
Anneliese raised her head and met his gaze. “It seems like your date still hasn’t come back. Why don’t you stay here with me a little longer?”
Jonathan fought back the upward pull at the corners of his mouth. His tone carried restraint and hesitation. “I shouldn’t. She’ll be back any moment, and waiting at the table is a sign of respect.”
His arm shifted as if to slip from her hold, but Anneliese didn’t release him.
Instead, her fingers clutched tighter, and the crisp fabric of his shirt bunched beneath her hand.
Jonathan lowered his eyes to her grasp. His brow lifted, and his gaze returned to her face, piercing and unyielding. “You clearly don’t want me at this date. Give me a reason.”
Anneliese faltered. A storm of doubt swirled through her mind. Should she tell him the truth about Amanda?
But then she saw how serious he was, how much value he placed on treating a woman with respect, and her hesitation dissolved.
He was too good to be tricked like this.
He had stepped in for her time and time again, and they were friends. Since fate had let her overhear the truth, silence no longer felt like an option.
Her hand pulled gently at his arm once more. “Please, just sit down. I need to tell you something.”
Jonathan sank into the chair across from her, his eyes never leaving hers. Anneliese reached for her water glass. The cool liquid rushed down her throat, Setting the glass down, she finally spoke. “I ran into Ms. Ashcroft in the restroom. I heard her talking on the phone. She already has a boyfriend overseas.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened, a spark of shock breaking through his usually calm face.
His brows knitted together. “Are you sure? Maybe you misunderstood her. Ms. Ashcroft doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who would do something like that.”
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Chapter 234 Intimate
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The way he defended Amanda stung. His impression of her was far too good, and it made Anneliese’s chest tighten with unease.
“I heard it myself,” she insisted, her voice rising with emotion. “Why would I make something like that up? Don’t you trust me?”
Jonathan’s gaze lingered on her face, taking in the fire in her eyes and the urgency in her voice. His chest warmed in a way he refused to admit.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, drew in a slow breath, and let it leave his lungs in a sigh that carried the weight of disappointment.
“Alright. I believe you. I just didn’t expect this. Ms. Ashcroft seemed so graceful and put- together. I thought she might be a decent match. Instead, I almost let myself be played for a fool.”
Anneliese caught the shadow in his eyes, and guilt prickled through her chest. She hadn’t wanted to see him hurt, yet she couldn’t let him walk blind into a lie.
She opened her mouth to soften the blow with comfort, but before she could speak, Zion appeared with quick strides.
“Mr. Fullbuster, Ms. Ashcroft said something came up, so she left.”
Zion had already walked Amanda to the parking lot, flagged down a car, and sent her off before returning.
His only real goal was clearing Amanda out of the picture and giving Jonathan and Anneliese space to themselves.
Anneliese blinked in surprise. Amanda had been desperate to impress Jonathan. Why would she walk away so suddenly? Relief spread through her chest like sunlight breaking through a
storm.
Zion turned his gaze on her with a mask of surprise.
“Ms. Claude, what a coincidence to see you here.”
Anneliese offered him a brief explanation. Zion chuckled warmly. “Then why don’t you and Mr. Fullbuster enjoy lunch together? I’ve already eaten, so I’ll get out of the way.”
Anneliese’s eyes drifted toward Jonathan, but before she could answer, his voice rang out, firm and commanding.
“I thought you arranged more than one date. Call the next one in.”
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Chapter 234 Intimate
Zion stiffened, his body freezing in place.
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The request felt reckless, almost dangerous. Why show so much eagerness with Anneliese sitting right there?
He forced out a quick, obedient “Yes, sir.” His phone slid into his hand, but his movements slowed, heavy with dread.
His pulse thudded unevenly. He feared Jonathan would wreck everything and turn the blame on him.
Just as Zion lifted his foot to take a step, Anneliese’s voice rang out, sharp and clear.
“Wait!”
Zion spun around instantly, her tone jerking him back as if he had been pulled by invisible strings.
“What is it, Ms. Claude?”
Anneliese felt Jonathan’s eyes fixed on her. Heat bloomed across her ears, and her palms dampened against her lap.
But with Amanda gone, with the date cut short, the sense of freedom inside her left no room for doubt. She knew what she wanted.
She drew in a breath that filled her lungs, steadied herself, and gave Zion a faint smile before turning to Jonathan.
“I want to cut in line.”
The words slipped into the space between them, bold and unshaken. Jonathan had not yet reacted, but Zion’s fists curled tight, and his voice burst out in excitement.
“Of course you can!”
The shout rang so loud that diners across the restaurant turned their heads.
Anneliese sank down in her chair, her face flushed red as she lowered her gaze to the tablecloth.
Jonathan cast Zion a sharp look, but even as his eyes narrowed, the faint curve tugging at his lips betrayed his mood.
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Chapter 235 Cut In Line
